National Aquatic Resource Surveys National Coastal Condition Assessment – 2010 Sarah Lehmann

National Aquatic Surveys EPA and our State, Tribal and Federal Partners are conducting statistical surveys of the condition of the Nation’s waters EPA and our State, Tribal and Federal Partners are conducting statistical surveys of the condition of the Nation’s waters Unbiased estimates of condition based on a representative sample of waters Unbiased estimates of condition based on a representative sample of waters Core indicators using standardized field and lab methods Core indicators using standardized field and lab methods Surveys cover Rivers/Streams, Lakes/Reservoirs, Wetlands, and Coastal Waters Surveys cover Rivers/Streams, Lakes/Reservoirs, Wetlands, and Coastal Waters

Key Objectives of the Survey What is the extent of waters that support healthy ecosystems, recreation, and fish consumption? What is the extent of waters that support healthy ecosystems, recreation, and fish consumption? How widespread are the most significant water quality problems? How widespread are the most significant water quality problems? Is water quality improving? Is water quality improving? Are we investing in restoration and protection wisely? Are we investing in restoration and protection wisely?

National Aquatic Resource Survey Schedule LakesDesignFieldLab,dataReport*ResearchDesignField RiversResearchDesignFieldLab,dataReportResearchDesign StreamsReportResearchDesignFieldLab,dataReportResearch Coastal OW/Sec. 106 DesignDesignDesignDesignFieldLab,dataReport ORD/OWCoastalLastEMAPSurveysNEPCCR NCCR 3 Report NCCR 4 Report WetlandsResearchResearchResearchResearchDesignFieldLab,data

Monitoring Initiative – Current Allocation of Funds Provide States $8.45M in 106 grant to participate in statistically-valid surveys of the Nation’s waters Provide States $8.45M in 106 grant to participate in statistically-valid surveys of the Nation’s waters $8000 per site for regional/national scale survey in lower 48 $8000 per site for regional/national scale survey in lower 48 Provide an additional $9.8M in 106 grant for improved monitoring programs and state priorities Provide an additional $9.8M in 106 grant for improved monitoring programs and state priorities $169,900/State annually for program enhancements outlined in state monitoring strategies $169,900/State annually for program enhancements outlined in state monitoring strategies

EPA Use of the Surveys The results of the first national surveys -- the National Coastal Assessments and the Wadeable Streams Assessment – are included in EPA’s Report on the Environment The results of the first national surveys -- the National Coastal Assessments and the Wadeable Streams Assessment – are included in EPA’s Report on the Environment EPA’s strategic plan uses survey results as a key measure of the performance of our protection and restoration programs. EPA’s strategic plan uses survey results as a key measure of the performance of our protection and restoration programs.

National Coastal Condition Report The National Coastal Assessment was the first national survey using the EMAP survey design. The National Coastal Assessment was the first national survey using the EMAP survey design. Three national reports produced since 2001 (one is still in draft). Three national reports produced since 2001 (one is still in draft). These National Coastal Condition Reports include statistical assessments of 100% of the nation’s estuaries in the contiguous 48 states, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. These National Coastal Condition Reports include statistical assessments of 100% of the nation’s estuaries in the contiguous 48 states, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Great Lakes information included but collected from SOLEC indicators. Great Lakes information included but collected from SOLEC indicators.

National Coastal Condition Report Reports address five key indicators of ecological health: Reports address five key indicators of ecological health: water quality, water quality, coastal habitat loss, coastal habitat loss, sediment quality, sediment quality, benthic community condition, and benthic community condition, and fish tissue contaminants. fish tissue contaminants.

Overall Condition NCCR III

NCCRs Planning NationalData NEPData NCCR I 2001 NCCR II 2005 NCCR III 2008 NCCR IV 2011 NCCR V 2012 NEP REPORT I 2007 NEP REPORT II 2012 ?? Blue – Data Collected Pink – No Data Collected

National Coastal Condition Report First meeting of State/Federal Workgroup planned for June First meeting of State/Federal Workgroup planned for June Workgroups will modify and add indicators in 2008 Workgroups will modify and add indicators in 2008 New Issues: New Issues: Add Great Lakes Add Great Lakes Section 106 funding Section 106 funding Schedule: Schedule: Sampling in 2010 Sampling in 2010 NCCR V in 2012 NCCR V in 2012

Draft Agenda for June Meeting San Antonio, TX June 10-11, 2008 San Antonio, TX June 10-11, 2008 Discuss funding approach Discuss funding approach Present and discuss sample draw – first “throw away draft” for the Great Lakes Present and discuss sample draw – first “throw away draft” for the Great Lakes Begin discussion of indicators – including focus on appropriate Great Lake indicators Begin discussion of indicators – including focus on appropriate Great Lake indicators Establish indicator workgroups Establish indicator workgroups Plan future Webinars/meetings Plan future Webinars/meetings

Questions?